Cargo volume at the Port of Los Angeles dropped in October as the Port handled 678,429 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), a 25% decrease from October 2021. 

The Port of Los Angeles has processed 8,542,944 TEUs during the first 10 months of 2022, also about 6% down from last year’s record pace.

October volumes were also down from the 709,873 TEUs seen in September despite last month signalling the usual start of the peak season.

Early peak season blamed for lull in cargo volumes

"With cargo owners bringing goods in early this year, our peak season was in June and July instead of September and October," said Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles executive director.

"Additionally, cargo has shifted away from the West Coast as some shippers await the conclusion of labour contract negotiations," Seroka added.

"We'll do everything in our power to get that cargo back because the best route between Asia and the United States is straight through the Port of Los Angeles," the Port of LA chief added.

October 2022 loaded imports reached 336,307 TEUs, down 28% compared to the previous year.

Loaded exports came in at 89,722 TEUs, a decline of 8.7% compared to last October. Empty containers landed at 252,401 TEUs, a 25% year-over-year decline.